News

Emmy Winner GregAlan Williams to Join UVI Theatre for South Pacific; Auditions Open

September 12, 2010

Emmy Award-winning actor GregAlan Williams will be the featured
performer in the UVI Theatre's fall production of the classic
Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. Williams, who has
appeared in more than 150 films and television episodes - including
"Remember the Titans," "Stomp the Yard," "The Fresh Prince of Bel
Air," "Baywatch," "The Sopranos," "The West Wing" and two Tyler
Perry shows - will play the production's lead role of Emile
deBecque, according to Dr. Doug Larche, Professor of Communication
and UVI's playwright-in-residence, who will direct the
production.

Dr. Larche said the ambitious production will be something special
for the UVI program, because of the size of the cast - more than 40
actors, singers and dancers, and another 20 technical members of
the company - and the fact that it will offer local performers the
chance to work with an Emmy Award-winning actor. UVI Theatre will
also present the musical at the Reichhold Center for the Arts in
November.

Fans of GregAlan Williams may already know that he is the voice
featured in television commercials produced by the Virgin Islands
Department of Tourism.

Dr. Larche said that this will be the fourth time he has directed
South Pacific. He has dedicated this production to the memory of
his son Jason Larche, who once played the part of Emile deBecque.
Jason passed away a year ago.

Soldiers, Sailors and Nurses

Open auditions for the musical start Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 4
to 7 p.m., at the UVI Little Theatre in the CA Building on the St.
Thomas campus. The cast features World War II soldiers, sailors,
pilots and nurses, Asian-Pacific Islanders, lots of comedy and two
passionate love stories.

"This is open to both the UVI family and the entire Virgin Islands
community," Dr. Larche said, noting that University credit is
available to students who participate.

The lead roles include the love interest of Emile deBecque, an
innocent young female who is an excellent singer, dancer and actor;
a romantic male fighter pilot with a beautiful tenor voice; an
adult female Asian-Pacific Islander with a golden alto; and a
youthful, innocent, female Asian-Pacific Islander. There are a few
roles that do not require singing. In addition to lead actors and
singers, the production will require rollicking chorus members,
costumers, builders and painters, lighting and sound technicians,
publicists, hairdressers and makeup artists.